Can age become just a number?

Many do believe that “age is just a number” and a person is “as young as he or she feels”, but that freedom of perception has never been cemented in a legal document.

The courts are now being seen as the solution to all kinds of issues, even those seemingly not strictly within the realms of law. Now, the plea of a 69-year-old Dutchman before a local court may further broaden the amazing powers of the judiciary as he wants legal sanction to lower his age by 20 years. If his intention had been to thereby increase his tenure or prospects of a job by a few months up to a couple of years — not an uncommon occurrence, even Indians would agree — the court would have precedents to turn to. But as the gentleman’s sole intention is to improve his chances of scoring on adating website, the court may find the issue to be a bit knotty. Many do believe that “age is just a number” and a person is “as young as he or she feels”, but that freedom of perception has never been cemented in a legal document. There is even acertain logic to his argument that if people can legally choose which gender to “identify” with, they should be allowed similar leeway when it comes to their age as well. The fringe benefits of flexi-vintage in the context of age-linked facets of quotidian life, such as insurance and mortgage premiums —just the sort of stuff that 69-year-olds would be very conscious about — are more than obvious. As he is a “positivity coach”, the low chances of winning this case will presumably not deter him.

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